Top 10 Family Days Out

Steam engines take visitors through 18 miles of stunning countryside, stopping at picturesque stations along the way.

The railway was used as a location for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’sStone – Goathland Station was turned into “Hogsmeade” where the school of wizardry and witchcraft is based. The railway’s shop on the platform was transformed into the “Prefect’s Room” and the Ladies toilets became the “Wizard’s Room”.

A fun day out for all the family. Discover over 300 years of history and over a million wonderful objects. Marvel at the record-breaking Mallard, see a replica of Stephensons’ Rocket, watch engineering work in progress, see locomotives moving on the turntable or let off steam in the outdoor play area. Visit the Royal Trains and take a seat on the futuristic Bullet Train.

One price family adventure park with over 100 rides including the UK’s only motorbike launch rollercoaster. There are also 5 family shows plus the UK’s largest privately owned zoo, home to many exotic species including giraffes, lions, rhinoceros and tigers. Watch your knuckles go white on Flamingo Land’s new record-breaking ride. MUMBO JUMBO has the steepest drop on any roller coaster in the world.

Set in 175 acres of gorgeous North Yorkshire parkland, Lightwater Valley is home to Europe’s longest roller-coaster ride. There’s something here for everyone: from the thrills-and-spills of the Fall of Terror and the Eagle’s Claw to the more relaxing Lightwater Express. There’s the Birds of Prey Centre to explore, or just enjoy a game of crazy golf.

“The strangest place in the world.” In the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, the beautiful Tupgill Park is home to a fantasy world of tunnels, follies, and surprises. A huge pyramid of translucent glass, strange statues, paths and passages that lead nowhere – decisions to be made and tricks to avoid.

Home to the UK’s national collection of arms and armour. There’s a full family-friendly programme of spectacular live demonstrations, lavish re-enactments and jousting tournaments, plus films, unique handling collections, and thousands of exhibits. The Royal Armouries will fascinate visitors of all ages and interests whatever the weather.

Not just butterflies, this is a wild family day out! Get close to lots of free-roaming animals, handle exotic snakes and magnificent birds of prey and feed marmoset monkeys, lorikeets and many more amazing creatures. Meerkat Mansion – come and see the residents!

Magna, the UK’s first science adventure centre is set in the cavernous Templeborough steelworks in Rotherham. There are 4 pavilions where you can explore the elements – earth, air, fire and water. The ultimate inter-active experience – here you can have fun firing a giant water canon, launch rockets, board an airship and spin in a gyroscopic chair, see lightning bolts, fiery tornadoes, explode rock faces and work real JCBs.

Eureka! is the UK’s National Children’s Museum, ‘a place where children play to learn and grown-ups learn to play’. Everything’s been designed to inspire children to find out about themselves and the world around them through 100s of hands-on exhibits. How about seeing your own skeleton, catching a wave, saving a polar bear or building a house? And there’s also plenty to do outdoors in the brand new PlayScape.

Inspire your children! A magical place, set in the beautiful grounds and gardens of a 500-acre, 18th Century country estate, this is one of the world’s leading open-air galleries. As well as sculptures by the likes of Henry Moore and Barbara Hepworth, the park runs a range of fun family events and courses for adults.